The Emporia weekly news. [volume] (Emporia, Kan.) 1881-1889, 1887-01-06

"
with Ralph Washburn's card attached,
stood upon the dressing table, ready for
the suspicious moment
There, Conf exclaimed one of the
bridesmaids. stepping back to survey
her work. Your appearance is simply
perfect. Mr.. MARROW is lucky man,
And, by the way, is it not time he was
herep The wedding is appointed by the
special license for seven, and it must be
nearly that now"
cit is eight minutes past" remarked
a companion, glancing at her watch.
HE may be below. waiting permission
to come up. julia" she continued.
stepping to the door and addressing 8
servant who was passing, ''go down
and see if Mr.. NARROW has arrived"
The girl obeyed. returning in few
moments
1.-The clergyman has come. Miss Sew
ard. but Mr.. NARROW is not there yet"
HE has been delayed, probably, "said
Constance. hearing the report and try
ing to speak calmly, although her heart
sank with a sudden misgiving. He
will be here soon."
But the minutes passed bv. until
twenty nor; were gone, and the bride
groom has, rot arrived. Then horse.
covered with foam. was rcinad in at the
gate. and, spriuging 10 the ground, the
rider came quickly mp the steps and
rang the bell.
as Mr.. NARROW here?' he asked rs
the door opened.
mo, sir" replied the servant
Then take NE to Miss Howard i'm
mediately. l must sec her alone"
And few minutes later Ralph Wash.
the anxious bri,ir.
can tell your he exclaimed, in husky
tones.
Tell me whatP" gasp d the terrified
girl. My good friend. in mercy, lei
me know the worst! Is he dead?''
''Deadr' repeated Ralph, with a burst
of indignant feeling. That would be
welcome news. compared with what
bring"
The face of the bride.elect turned
whittier Than her robe; then controlling
herself by an almost superhuman effort
she said, in painfully altered voice:
''Tell me ali-everything!'
about three clock this afternoon,
said Ralph, drawing a small envelope
from his pocket, ''this letter was left al
my Office during my absence, 10y some
unknown person. 1t contains these
strange words:
"'If Rap washburu would learn some
thing to his advantage, let MIN b. IT the -
morning. "A Weii-Wishcr'
Il have always dis,rusted anonv.
nous letters, and scarcely ever deemed
them worthy of notice; but something
prompted me to give heed to this. ]
knew by hard riding | could get there
and return in time for the wedding.
Reaching the station n few minutes be-
fore nine--the hour, as | afterwards
learned. at which a tram would be en-
route for town 1 was walking up and
down the platform. with nv cap pulled
down. and my coat-coliar turned up iC
keep out the cold, thus effectually con-
cealing my face, when close carriage
drove up. and Il lady and gentleman
alightcd. l caught a distinct glance
at each as they passed into the waiting
room. Her face l had never seen be-
fore; his l had-it was that of Oswald
MarlowI"
A spasm passed for q moment over
the features of The statue-like girl before
MIN; then. with motion of her hand,
she bade him proceed.
They were talking in low tones; but
1 HcdTu the ld1l1 Silys ID IH0y passed
me: Il hope she won't take it very hard
but, then, you know l had the best right
to you
" And the only right. since the min
lister spoke those few words a few min
utes ago, was his reply. But If YOU
had ever seen her, Mamie. you would
scarcely wonder that her beauty and
attractiveness made me forget all other
- 60 / N m
senses at last, however, and just in
time
II waited on the platform until the
train came in, and they entered it. AS
Oswald stepped into the carriage this
crumpled bit of paper fell from his
pocket. Strengthened it out, and read
what afforded an added confirmation
if any were needed-of his base and
heartless treachery. Shall l read it?
Every wordr' fell from the listeners
pallid lips.
=" My Dear OswrId.-Yuur letter hes healcs
my aching and des"ldIe heart. and filled /
once more with peace and joy or course tiI'
girl whose beauty has made you forget you
loyalty to me will b. bitterly disappointed
| but one of us must suffer, and have the Des
fidelity. But 1 have no further need 70
| reproaches. You have told me that the da.
| that was to witness her wedding with yoI
| shall witness mine instead; and count tn
hours that shall bring you back 10 your loyin
A moments silence followed the las
words; then in that hollow, Immature
voice, Constance spoke again:
'.Is that alp"
"All, dear friend: and would that
had been the task of some one else T.
bring you the proofs of the base treach
erv Of the man you have esteemed 8
highly. Bitter as was the pang c
losing you, / could have controlled m.
pain, and resigned you to one worth
of your love; but to think that one III
known to any of us until six month
ago should, with lying and specioU
words, beguile and then desert you
oh! it is too cruelr' And burying hi
face in his hands, with a groan be san
upon a chair.
4 moment longer Constance stOo
like figure carved in stone. then ia.
ing her hand upon his shoulder, SAT-
family:
..Ralph-best and truest friend-coul
sci me; tell me what to do"
Ralph raised his head and locke
eagerly at her.
sob, Constance! if only might cou
sci you according to the promptings
my heart! You know not how ye
tempt me-
"Speak." interrupted the sad voic
II will listen"
Hear me, thenr he exclaimed. sci
ing her hands. Your guests are her
the minister waiting. Let me stand
the place of HIM who has so cruelty
? trayed your trust Let him not have
to boast that he left a lovelorn, deseI
ed sweetheart behind. / was about
start for Africa-my passage alreat
, engaged. Will you go with me. n
darling-my cherished companion al
wifep''
For an instant only chill as if fro
the icy shores of death trembled alor
, every nerve and fibre of her being; tn
she spoke again:
Il will your wife. Let us go dow
e 1 am ready"
The service was over; a few wor
, | had explained the altered situation, al
! Constance, having exchanged her we
! ding-robes for travelling dress, "
. placed in the carriage by her husban
3 For a while they rode on in silenC
n then there was a sudden plunging